Opinions on B7500HSD - please

tommyz270 · Apr 21, 2009

I'm thinking about buying a B7500 HSD, but not sure if it really does have the power needed for a bucket, digging, etc...

Also, what about a tiller, brushhog, etc?

Can everyone who has or had one give their opinion?

I'm thinking about getting it for the house to mow with the belly mower, but to also do some digging, moving dirt, grading with the bucket, etc... general home work and a little "driveway making" on a piece of property I have.

Thoughts? Thanks everyone.

Tom

easygo · Apr 21, 2009

You probably want to describe what soil you have on your property and also what scale of work those projects would be. Length of driveway number of acres???

The 7500 will handle a LOT of works and will dig very well if equipped with a loader. The big question is how much/deep digging you want to do and how big of an area. The mowing would be a very easy task. It will handle a tiller up to about 4' but that also depends on the soil and if the ground was tilled before or moisture content. Could run a 4' bushog. I have a B7510 that is just about the same tractor with a few minor changes. All that said it might be a bit small for you. It all depends on the work you want to do.

tommyz270 · Apr 21, 2009

Thanks for the input, of course more is always welcome

I used the belly mower when I test drove it and it seems to bog down when going top speed and mowing through thinner grass - maybe just need the blades sharpened?

The main use is around the house moving dirt from one place to another and the digging isn't anything major, major.

I have rented a large L39 for the weekend and did the majority of the "road" on the property and used it all weekend and didn't get the job done, but did do the majority of the work. I'd be making the road, smoothing out the ground, moving the dirt/rock around and spreading it out and with my own tractor, i could take my time and not try to force into one weekend.

Ground is rocky and clay, but can be broken up somewhat.

I'm just concerned that the power wouldn't be there when I try to grade/dig the road out. I don't want it to bog down. The L39 even bogged down sometimes, but that's because I was pushing it, obviously. I'm ok with bogging down because I'm pushing too hard, but don't want to get frustrated because it won't dig.

Want a small one for the house - small yard and dirt work, and property - road.

thanks again

dodge man · Apr 21, 2009

Don't get hung up on the horsepower numbers. I have a BX2350, and I have in theory 2 more horsepower than the tractor you are looking at. I'd put good money on the fact that a B7500 would out dig my BX. Its got a bigger chasis, and although I haven't looked at the numbers, I bet it has better hydraulics. It sounds like for what you want, it will do the job. The big thing is price. How is the price?

Don't worry about it bogging down a little bit when mowing. I have a 60" deck. I don't know how big a deck you are looking at, but I have found that mowing works my BX the hardest. Mine doesn't overheat, but I have noticed mowing makes the temp gauge climb the highest and uses the most fuel.

wushaw · Apr 21, 2009

Something to think about is what size tractor are you gonna need after you get the drive built?
I put 400hrs on a B7500 and I liked it but it was just too small for all the work I was doing with it although I want another one since it's size is good for so many applications where my L2800 is a pain to maneuver around.
The B7500 is a good tractor.

tommyz270 · Apr 21, 2009

It's a 2001, 242 hrs, belly mower for $8,500. Bucket is an extra $3,000. I'm going to try to get them to throw the bucket into the price and get it for $8,000.

I'll also try to get them to agree that if once they put the bucket on the front and I don't like the way it works, they'll take it back within 30 days or something - who knows if they'll go for that.

tommyz270 · Apr 21, 2009

Wushaw - thanks.

I was actually looking at a BX1800, but think that's just going to be too small, even though it would be the best size for my current yard at my house.

I'm thinking the 7500 is going to be the best all around in size and capabilities, but without actually trying the bucket, not sure it will do the digging.

The L39 I rented had a gas pedal so when you were doing hard digging, you could hit that and it would give it a little more juice.

After the road, I'm sure something will come up... things always do

dodge man · Apr 21, 2009

When I got my BX2350, I added the end loader a few weeks later for digging for a pool. It was for a above ground pool, but it was on a bit of a hillside. I had to dig out as much as 3 to 4 feet deep. I wasn't sure it would dig that deep, but it did the job. With a toothbar, I'm sure it would dig deeper and faster. You will be suprised how well it will dig, even in fairly hard ground, it just takes a little practice. The end loader is well worth the money.

WayneB · Apr 21, 2009

Tom I have a B-7500 and put about 300 hours on it doing all kinds of jobs around the place. I have a Howard rototiller that it handles nicely, a 4 foot bush hog that seems to do a nice job, there are times you have to slow down and let it work through some heavy stuff, have a five foot woods snowblower that gets a workout every winter and to date has not been a a problem.

I do not have a belly mower and don't think it would work that well for me considering the hills around here.

Like most people I would like to have something bigger, faster, heavier, but have found the 7500 to be a good tractor.

Wayne

dillo99 · Apr 21, 2009

I love mine and it does everything I ask of it. Could I use more horsepower...maybe but I don't really notice it. I have a neighbor with a BX24 (theoretically 3 more hp). We were digging a in his yard on a project and by b7500 was definitely more powerful. The backhoe is larger and probably has more leverage. Loader seemed to be able to handle more as well. I don't think you will regret it.